We *loved* Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory caramel apples. If you’d have one, you know how amazing they are. Not just caramel, they are loaded with caramel, white chocolate, candy or cookie bits, and then milk or dark chocolate. They are an experience to be sure and so delicious!
I started making a copycat version 5 years ago and became quickly known for them. They were our Christmas neighbor gift 4 years in a row, as well as a common teacher gift. They look fancy, taste delicious, but aren’t hard and require no baking. An all-time Michaelis family favorite!
My boys were THRILLED when 3 years into our GF/DF journey this week I finally put together this version. I use my Paleo caramel as well as Great Value (Walmart) dairy-free white chocolate chips and Glutino DF/GF oreos. These have more steps than most of my recipes, but no baking required. Trust me, these are worth the effort. Oh man did these bring a lot of joy to our house when they came together again!
Gluten-free Dairy-free Loaded Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 6 tart green apples Either golden delicious or granny smith
- 6 popsicle or kabob sticks
- 1 cup vegan caramel see notes
- 10 oz dairy-free white chocoalte chips (about 1 1/4 cup) I use Great Value brand from Walmart
- 5 oz dairy-free chocolate (about 1/2 cup) I use Great Value or Enjoy Life Foods
- 10 dairy-free gluten-free Oreos I use Glutino brand from Walmart
Instructions
- Heat 3 inches of water in a large pot over high heat, adding 2 tablespoons baking soda. While heating, remove stems and produce stickers from the apples.
- When water is near but not quite boiling, turn off heat. Put 3 of the apples in the water for 1 minute, turning a few times to cover both sides of the apple. Don't leave more than 1 minute in the water, or they will start to get mushy! Remove and immediately scrub with a coarse paper towel or towel. Repeat with other 3 apples. Make sure apples are fully dry. This step is important as will get off all the wax on the outside of the apple that can prevent the caramel from sticking to the apple.
- Once apples are cleaned and dry, insert the popsicle or kabob sticks in the top of the apple. I prefer kabob sticks, as they look fancier, and are usually easy to find in the baking isle.
- Ensure the caramel you are using is thick enough to stick on apple but thin enough to dip the apples in. If you are using my homemade paleo caramel (see notes for link), it's important the caramel has been in the fridge overnight to be thick enough to stick. Most store-bought caramel dips are thick and might need to be heated up slightly in the microwave to be dip-able.
- Holding onto the stick, dip the apple in the caramel, rotating to ensure full coverage. Let excess caramel drain before placing on a sheet of parchment paper. I gently shake the apple to help the excess caramel drain back into the caramel bowl or pan. Repeat with all apples.
- Let caramel apples cool in the fridge until caramel is no longer sticky to the touch. Length of time will vary greatly depending on type of caramel used.
- Once cool, heat the white chocolate in a glass dish in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir, and then microwave another 30 seconds and stir again. Chocolate should be melted and smooth. If not, repeat for another 30 seconds, being careful not to overheat and burn!
- Finely crush the Oreos into small crumbs. I do so with a food processor or mini food processor, but you could also do it with a kitchen hammer or rolling pin and some determination.
- For the next layer, tilt the caramel apple on it's side and roll in the melted chocolate. Hold over the bowl and drain excess chocolate. Then, gently roll or press Oreo crumbs onto the white chocolate layer. This part will get messy and I do over a piece of parchment. Place upright on another piece of parchment paper and repeat with other caramel apples.
- Put back into the fridge to cool until white chocolate is hard.
- Once hardened, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir and then microwave again for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Repeat for another 30 seconds only if needed.
- For the last semi-sweet chocolate drizzle, I put the melted chocolate into a disposable ziptop bag, pushing it all over to one bottom corner and then twising above it to create like a frosting tube. Cut off the bottom corner and then drizzle over the top of the white chocolate later. You can also just use a spoon to drizzle this layer, this is just how I get consistent, professional looking results.
- Cool one more time in the fridge until all layers are hardened. Keep in fridge for 3-4 days. To eat, cut into slices, cutting around the stem/core. Enjoy!
Notes
For my Paleo Homemade Caramel, click here. You will need one batch for this recipe
If you don't need dairy-free and are using store-bought wrapped caramels, they will need to be unwrapped and heated up in a pot over medium-low heat until smooth. I usually use about 8 caramels per apple. Sometimes the caramel does need to be thinned down with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream, if you feel like the melted caramel is too thick for dipping.
There are a lot of other topping options you can use instead of the crushed Oreos. Think sprinkles, candy bits, other crushed cookes or candies - get creative!
My newly GF/DF teenager was just telling me the other day the thing she missed the most was caramel dip for her apples! We made the caramel dip for a caramel apple bar and she was absolutely ecstatic! I’m also planning on making these loaded apples for teachers gifts! I so appreciate how you make “normal” types of meals that work for picky kids and teenagers!
It makes my mama heart happy that this could help give more whole-food based options to your family!
Oh yum! Can’t wait to try these!! 😋😋